English Club Chatter

Ok, I'll start! I usually don't like answering my own thread prompts until someone else has, but I talk to myself at home, why not here?

This summer I did a good bit of vegetating, which is only fun for a little while, did some light reading (Sorry Hamlin, I didn't try to tackle *Ulysses*. I did read *In Cold Blood*, which was excellent), but best of all, I went to New York! We did a lot of camera-wielding, map-inspecting touristy activities, like staring slack-jawed and awestruck up at tall buildings and perusing the knock-offs on the side of the street. We saw the Naked Cowboy, and we almost saw the President (I'm not sure which was more exciting). A lot of the U.N. delegates were in town and were staying at the same hotel as us, across from the Waldorf-Astoria (where the Prez was staying) so there were secret-service guys, policemen, motorcades, etc. everywhere. Very intense but interesting- the security was unbelievable.
Other than that, we got to enjoy a little of the New York life- we hung out in Central Park and enjoyed all the little neighborhoods, paid way too much for beer and, well, everything else. All in all, it was a pretty good trip.

Trish won't let me ignore this damn blog, so here I am. But, being a horribly boring person, I don't have many responses to her prompts. I was as lazy as I can be this summer, not really going anywhere or watching much of anything new or noteworthy. I did read a good series of books if you are into fantasy novels at all. The "Farseer" trilogy by Robin Hobb, and the follow up trilogies are quite engaging. I guess they are considered to be somewhat of a classic in that genre, but I hadn't heard of them before.

It's good to be back, the amount of familiar faces increases with every class I end up taking here, so that's a bonus. I'll try to keep in touch, if'n anyone cares.

What are you guys watching at your outdoor movie night???
P.S.--I spent my summer at school where I saw many of you frequently--which was lovely;).

i would just like to add that i never do my research before i jump into these things. Young Frankenstein sounds lovely.

It's Frankenstein! Which would be a nice segue into how I spent my summer, but I think that's going to end up as a lengthier piece than this space allows. Good to be back. Great to be alive and wellish.

I wont waste anyone's time relating my very uneventful summer (oh, not counting shakespeare of course HH)but I would like to mention another GREAT trilogy by Robin Hobb, The Liveship Traders. There's some swashbuckling, a pirate hooker, living ships(go figure) and one of them is insane and drounds everyone. There's actually a lot of insanity going on... Another fantasy thingy by Juliet Marillier, the Sevenwaters Trilogy is wonderful for anyone who likes Irish folklore type stuff.
I read some books last month on the history of philosophy all the way to Ionia. I wish I could recommend the authors, but I dont remember them and they weren't very good. But the subject itself is intriguing, and if anyone knows of some good sources, that'd be great.

I tried to read Philosophy for Dummies, but it was over my head. Must be because I'm not a dummy, much. But seriously, I really enjoyed The Seekers by Daniel J. Boorstin.
Also, a book I tried to read parts of this summer, though I had no business trying anything like it this past summer, is The Modern Mind by Peter Watson. It's subtitled as An intellectual history of the 20th century. I had read some of it before and found it very interesting.

Also I was right about my summer vacation synopsis being too lengthy for in here. I"m up to page 8 and I've got a ways to go. it's the first I've written in a long, long time and it feels great!

I just finished Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. It's not the kind of thing I usually read. It was a recommendation. I was cynical at first. But Bell describes various asspects of Christianity in an intellectually stimulating kinda consider-this sorta way. I will admit to some serious convictions. Also, I am currently reading Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique--and I'm so mad that so much of what Friedan points out in the 1960's continues to be an issue today. .

I started the Summer with quite a bit of traveling. Camp took up about 4-5 weeks. (Working with students Jr. High and High school...mostly, I direct the multimedia for the camps, so I don't have quite as much contact with the students as others.)

Spend a week in California. Flew into L.A. and hung out around there for a couple of days and then drove up the coast to San Fran for the remander of the time. Watched the new Superman movie on an IMAX screen with several scenes in 3-D.

Did a short stint to Canada. Spent way too much money at a Beef Jerky Outlet Store.

All in all, on of my better summers.

They have outlet stores for beef jerky?

They do in Canada.

It's right next to the back bacon outlet.

I read the Fem. Myst. last winter which led me to read um, pretty much all the books on feminisim i could reasonably get hold of, which then led me to be pretty much pissed off for a good three months. I don't recommend this, it's not good for the complexion...
I cant do anything just a little bit.
I am ridiculous. And a dork.
So, for your sake and the sake of all the penis-bearers within 100ft of you sarah, try to take it in small doses or something. Not to suggest youre as silly as me... or that its not important... Plus even Betty recognized then that anger often causes people to handle situations in not so productive a way, making themselves and thus their cause look kinda goofy
(can I say penis?)
Now, where is that copy of Anger Management for Dummies?

Young Frankenstein? Pirates? Why, with a touch of Monty Python (and a pinch of Cheech and Chong sans smoking habit) I can shift right into talking about Yellowbeard. With such actors as Graham Chapman, Peter Boyle, Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Marty Feldman (Igor from YF), and others I didn't recognize, but some of you might, you get a touch of everything. Graham Chapman is credited as one writer and the humor reflects that. He plays the main role of Yellowbeard, a pirate in every sense of the word. "Rape, Pillage, and Plunder" is the pirate's life, and it's no different with Yellowbeard. In fact, when he learns of his son from Betty after his escape from prison, the following exchange takes place (cut and pasted from imdb):
Betty: Well, it's been awhile since we had a little cuddle.
Yellowbeard: I raped ya, if that's what you mean.
Betty: Okay. It was half-cuddle, half-rape.
Comedy Gold! Genius!

Top 3 movie pirates:
1. The Dread Pirate Roberts
2. Captain Jack Sparrow
3. Yellowbeard

Am I too far removed from the loveliness of English Club to be welcome at Young Frankenstein?

Of course not, Erin! The more the merrier, and you're especially welcome because we haven't seen you in so long. Please come : )

As official Club advisor, my understanding is the English Club membership is for life!

And I've got the tattoo to prove it.

Ha!...that's just way to easy.

Don't you mean "way TOO easy," after all this is the English weblog we should be careful with our homonymns.
Well since others were writing er typing about what they read over the summer I'll go way out in left field and say that I finished reading the Dragonvarld series by Margaret Weis the three books are "Mistress of Dragons," "Dragon's Son," and the book I just finished "Master of Dragons." I also finished the second book in the Bronze Canticles series by Tracy Hickman and his wife Laura Hickman, it was complex and became extremely interesting at the last half of the book. Bronze Canticles series consists of three books, right now, "Mystic Warrior," "Mystic Quest," and "Mystic Empire." However, it was far better to go to Indianappolis, IN and get them all signed. They're also GREAT summer reading because they're hardcover books and too heavy to carry around with the Norton Anthology for English 201. :)

Does anyone know the way to easy?

Apparently you just follow my tattoo, Jim.

With all the talk of tattoing and beef jerky, someone could get the wrong idea about what kind of club this is! (or maybe not)

So this summer was well, it was summer. I spent the majority of it playing with time and freedom. No. I do not mean prison or freedoms on the streets, just being in the same mode for work and self time with well, whatever I could find time to do. Ok, being only 26 I have a 4 year old daughter who I hope is taking on her place in the world as yes, an attitude with ambition. I spent the weekends with her..her name is Halie...and the weekdays working and never really finding time to read anything that I felt was worth while. I did however, go and see the movie "The Da Vinci code" which was well, obviously not as good as the book, but it got my mind ready to read "Angels and Demons." Now, as a christian, I certainly did not, and do not agree with the story-line given that portrays the whole christian belief as man-made and solely hope based, but all the same I feel that a person has to at least open his or her mind to others perceptions on things of this world so that I, or anyoine else that agrees with me, does not go through life virtually blind. All the same, good books and, some what, good movies.
I did do a little travel this summer. My biological family lives about 3 1/2 hours south of here and so a few times I made the gruesome drive to spend a few days at a time with them even though gas prices were higher than my grocerie bill. My oldest brother from my adoptive family got married on August 14, in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he graduated from college. Yeah, I know, he's from Michigan...Go Bucks! Anyways, that was nice to see. i just didn't do anything too special this summer. Although, I did get to witness the wrath of mother nature in my home town of Wooster, when we were totally destroyed by the winds and lost power for 5 days. Try this; a cold shower for almost a week, canned food, and less commadities than the Amish....it sucked. I never knew a tree could fall that fast and make a noise such as it did and then the ground...wow! It shook hard enough that my cats hissed up and when attacking the door....weird, I know. So I am new to this club..but I hope to meet all of you...and yes...I definately would like to have a discussion on free speech. I really think a lot of students feel they can't talk in class, and as for evolution, I was sent to detention for two days in junior high because I refused to sit and listen to science try to tell me they could explain God....ok, that was brute, but hey....it should be fun...I hope I didn't ramble on too much and I hope I made sense....

It would be fun to live with an Amish family for a few months. They've got some good ideas... Have you ever seen an unhealthy or depressed looking Amish person? (ahh, gross generalizations) They probably would kick me out in less than 45 mins. but that is besides the point.

I have seen both unhealthy and depressed Amish people. When I was little an Amish family worked the farm beside our house and we invited their little girls over for play dates every now and then. Once during a visit, the girls wanted to color so my mother put some coloring books and washable crayola markers out. When Mom left us alone the girls began to examine their markers. Soon they were sniffing them. Next they began biting the tips off the markers; chewing and swallowing that spongy, inky part of the markers. I can only assume that this is because the girls were starving, so abused by their represive culture that they were denied even food--forced to eat whatever they came in contact with...Or they were conciously (at ages 6 and 4 respectively) making a statement against the consumerism of secular culture...it's hard to say--but enough negativity from me already, I'm sure everyone has their own conclusions about this kind of outrage.

(and that has nothing to do with anything;)

Perhaps they don't grasp the coloring concept and thought you were giving them a snack. Were they the kinds of markers that smelled like grapes and stuff like that?

There is an Amish farm adjoining my back yard, and they almost never come looking for markers to eat. But, really, I think they are human, so likely there are a lot of depressed and unhealthy Amish.

There is an Amish guy that lives down the road from me (near Loudonville) that is allways coughing-up up this grey/black phlegm . I thought he must be about 50 or so but his brother told me he was only in his 30’s. On the plus side…he is always smiling.

I believe that's 'TATTOOING' Dr.HH. An English Prof should certainly know better than to skip an O. wink. wink. nudge. nudge. Soooo, I suppoose. yawn.

I must say hh, that guile humor is quite delightful. You may be 'out there' but you do know what's happening out there.

Thanks, Watoeasy. Glad you like.

For those interested in the Amish, and thinking that "Witness" contains everything you need to know about them. have a look at the film, "Devil's Playground." It's a documentary, and I know they have it at Hollywood Video. Quite sobering stuff. There's no getting back to Eden (alas).

Yes, quite delightful, HH. Here's today's trifling word: floccinaucinihilipilification.

Well, Josh, as one whose house was affected by the tornado in Wooster a couple of years ago, I can relate. We lost power for a few days and lost all of our trees. At least Wooster is fairly close to the Lehmans store in Kidron in case you have to go for more than a week with no power.

If anyone is not familiar with Lehman's it is a store thaty specializes in non-electric stuff and interesting tools and gadjets, kitchen stuff, gardening, etc. It is worth a road trip if you have the time and wish to see some cool stuff.

Lehman's was fortunate enough to have its website appear around the time of Y2K. They did a ton of mail-order, Internet business that year. I get their catalog, neat stuff.

Just an update for everyone that's planning on coming to our movie night tomorrow- it's not looking like the weather is going to be cooperative, so our backup location is Ovalwood 253. It doesn't have the most comfortable seating, but it's better than getting rained on.
See everybody then!

Well, you never know what will piss people off I guess... I suppose in my off handed interjection I was a bit naive, I haven't quite mastered the absolute cynical view of the world just yet and I hope I never do (joke, gosh!). Ok, let me look at it this way, or state it better or something; the Amish culture is different from pretty much anything I know and whether it be good or bad or neither, it would be fun and interesting to be immersed into it as a sort of learning experience. And this is true for any culture in my opinion. What can be learned about the world and humanity from the halfway comfortable side of Mansfield Ohio is pretty limited. And to me humanity in its various forms is fun, and healthy and happy to me does not necessarily mean all you can eat buffets, cozy gas heated homes, and really good health insurance. I guess those terms are pretty subjective and since I'm praising diversity or whatever you want to call it, it would probably be hypocritical of me to expect anyone to share my view of it... I think I'm taking this off the intended subject though...

"tattoing and beef jerky"

Sounds like the club for me...even though I already have quite a bit of experience with both.

Could make an interesting event

About the Amish I've actually had dinner with some very nice people. They weren't starving, they knew how to color, and they were quite "normal." They have a saying about us "There's good English and there's bad English" they call us English because we speak English as opposed to their Pennsylvannia Dutch language. The same saying goes for us "there's good Amish and there's bad Amish," unfortunately the family that I was close friends with moved to Michigan a few years back and now the area is starting to fill up with more bad Amish. But the ones in the documentary that Professor Hamlin is talking about I have to wonder if they are truly Amish or if they are from the newer denominations. Old World Amish will not allow under any circumstance anyone in their Amish community to be filmed. If someone gets discovered as being photographed they will be excommunicated SHUNNED. Meaning no Amish family member, none of their friends in the Amish community can look on this person or these people will be Shunned themselves. Can you imagine no one looking at you, talking to you, or even referencing your name?

I've known different people who are Amish in my life, and there are different factions. There are quite a few Old World Amish in northern Ashland county. Most of the Amish in Holmes county are not Old World. Go check out Berlin. However, any group of Amish are loathe to be in front of cameras. The documentary "Devil's Playground" has a good bit of footage, but most of it is young people experiencing Rumspringa. And yes, Amish throw the best parties. I've been to a few parties and there were always at least 500 people. I know a few Amish who chose to leave their church and family to marry or be with an English. It's very interesting to me that we have this large population of people who exist locally, and most people don't really care about them. They don't care about understanding them, or even accepting them. I'm truly not referring to anyone here; I've had experiences when I was a teenager and as a child that opened my eyes. We see them around and they just fade into the scenery, unless their farms are dirty or they produce pretty knick knacks. Or their horses shit in the road. Or they block traffic. But we're all responsible for the choices we make as to how we want to live, and the number of Amish who are content and happy with they lifestyle outnumbers the unhappy. There wouldn't be so many if they were oppressed so badly. That's why there are different factions. People disagree about certain aspects of the church and they find a way to live that accomodates their wants and needs, just as most of us do in our own lives. We're really not so different. How many of us are brought up in a certain environment, search out other ways of thinking and living, and finally find our own ground on which to stand? I often envied the fact that my Amish friends could choose to explore any way of life they wanted and still be taken back with open arms. That's more than most "English" families and institutions can claim. If I had gone out at the age of 17 and done any drug and caused any amount of trouble, my church would not have taken me back with open arms, without question. Now, not all churches are like that, but some are. And many "English" families certainly are.
So yes, Angela, I can imagine that. It happens all the time. It happens to all of us in little ways, all the time. Maybe we just don't notice it. Of course, Shunning is an amazingly harsh function of the church, but think of how certain people and groups of people are "shunned" in all sorts of different ways. It's just something to think about.

And yes Jim, Lehmans is an awesome store. They have the best oil lamps, homemade soap and bunker supplies in the area ;)

Come to think of it, there may be an advantage to facing "Shunning" instead of just mindless malice. At least you know and understand what is actually happening and why. There's so much cruelty that gets perpetrated on people that's without cause and thought. You have no idea what to do when someone or a group of people are just evil mean. You don't know why it's happening so it makes it nearly impossible to truly fight. You're almost always powerless in this type of situation. Unless you're strong, desperate or fated to succeed, the chances are that you won't have a clue which way is up. At least when "Shunning" is occuring, the person knows what is happening, why, all the options, and familiarity is a big deal. It's happened before just like this and will again. There are others who have gone through the same thing. And that's your armor, poor as it is. These people leave because they are hungry. Sometimes curiosity causes problems, but their decisions don't stem from just curoosity. These people are unique and inquiring and brave. I've always admired them. Not one of the three people I know who left the church made the decision for the "wrong" reasons; fun, stimulation and ignorance.
If there's one thing about "Shunning" that may not be too terrible, I think it's this.

So I am assuming the summer talk is now over.ok.Well, I didn't mean to bring up the Amish in such a high accord, but hey, it is nice to see the different ideas on them. Although, along with all of the above said things...if we were Amish ourselves none of us would be here since the Amish are done with school in the 8th grade...at least we would all be able to hang out in the fields. And MM, I'd have to agree with you on the whole shunning thing in our christian or English homes if we were to venture away to find our own paths in life. So here's a question,I don't know, I guess I am curious? Why do "you" feel that our culture is so quick to judge, but the Amish, the ones that are so much more set in their ways and beliefs, are more open minded to the individual freedom to pursue happiness?

Jess,I don't have the sense anyone was angry (I wasn't anyway), just interested in the complexity of the Amish. It's interesting that for decades, due to the obvious pressures and complexities of modern life, many Americans have found certain traditional religious sects attractive. This is true of the Shakers as well as the Amish, for instance, or even the Quakers. But life is always complicated, and there may be a kind of Law of Conservation of Complexity (!). If you escape one kind of complexity, another rises up to confront you. So the Amish don't have to face the modern, technological, urban rat race, but they have the generational issues involved with Rumspringa (depicted in the film), problems of keeping their communities together and harmonious (there's a kind of ongoing process of Reformation -- groups splintering off because of theological or behavioral disputes), and plenty of other difficulties as well (it's an extremely patriarchal society, for one thing -- I'm not sure most of you women would enjoy the life -- and I gather there have been some serious concerns about the abuse of women and children, obviously not at all universal, but nevertheless disturbing). One other interesting point -- the Amish were themselves inspired by a reaction against modernity. The Amish (a group that splintered off from the Mennonites) only adopted the Ordnung (the simple dress and lifestyle) in the late nineteenth century, as a reaction to the Industrial Revolution, Modern Science, urbanization, and such. Before that, their lives were not that much different from any other rural people. We tend to think of them as preserving ancient (or at least sixteenth-century) ways, but their lifestyle is only just a little older than the "back-to-the-landers" of the sixties! If any of you are interested, I think our Bromfield Library has quite a collection of books on the Amish.

Just to add a little bit to HH's suggestion. While you are at Hollywood Video picking up the documentary he recommended, make sure to check out Kingpin, the heart warming story of a young amish man being exposed to the world outside what he is accustomed to, and dealing with being exploited for his strengths along the way.

I agree HH. Although, they do say we should learn from history in how we run our lives and govern our country today. I almost think that we could learn a lot in regards to the Amish in the aspect of moral, liberal, and the ideal that our country was founded by people such as the Amish, and that life in New England wasn't one that we today, or at least most of us, would probably succeed well in. The Amish live the life of the land. They abide by laws of nature when in comes to food, living, and most importantly, there relationship to government and fellow people from 1603-1640's, was a live and let live thing. I grew up on a dairy farm so I do appreciate the laborsome work. I think it takes a lot for a people to live by rules in which you basically forbidden to comply with popular demand in your daily public lives. Where I live in Wooster, I see the Amish almost daily and you can be certain you won't see the same family in town for at least another month or so. They shop once a month, buying the same things we buy; food, electronics, you name it, they have. Don't let them fool you.
I respect their ways of living, but not so much their religious sect. Being basically spit off's from the earlier settlers of Pennsylvannia, they keep our past alive. I grew up on dairy farm, so I can appreciate the laboursome work they do to feed families of 8 or 9 people.
However, I do not agree with where they are in our society today. Now, I understand we have certain constitutions and rights, but the Boston Tea Pary was a long time ago, and well, now we pay taxes. Note: I said we. As in "We the people..." Sure we have the freedom of religion, and I am sure most of us are passifists at heart, but it's our country, we have the duty to protect it. I had to register for the draft, and graduate high school. The Amish have to do none of this. I feel they should have to pay their taxes, have license plates on their buggies, and dag gone it, they should have to defend our blood bought nation with us...they live here too. The Navajo Indians served with us in World War II, and their "code" saved us and helped win the war (movie, "Windtalkers"). For crying out loud, they were the most oppressed group of people when we the English, or Irish, or what have you, took their land and killed their tradition of life. So, the Amish are, in my opinion, not living up to, nor meeting quota to really live in a free country that they are not even willing to pay taxes to, or defend.
And I tell you what, I really hate driving down the road running over a pile of horse dung during a humid, 90 degree summer day. (I do like horses though) Sorry if this seems cruel folks, but come on, we are in this together.

And while your renting films check out Amish Girls Gone Wild. I hear-tell that some of the girls actualy expose their ankles!

...thats the ticket...

so i had to go all the way to the top to figure out how the heck we went from summer plans to talking about the AMISH.

I went to an Amish Wedding Reception.

Do not, I implore you, do not bring back 'that's the ticket'.

Jim. It is a phenomenal saying with rightous power, you know you want to say it to. PLUS--it was so in Young Frankenstien.

I find MM's comments very respectable. It's always simple to look at one group (religion, race, etc)and condemn them at no ends with no basis.

In the terms of the Amish tradition rumspringa (yeah, that was an interesting docu-drama), the adolescent enters the crossroads of their existence. Of course, it is the so called wrong path they choose that in turn brings a majority of them back. But this wrong path can also show them more. No, very few stay on that 'wrong' path but it helps them live and to make better decisions once they do leave that path. They may have regret. God knows who doesn’t. But they learn a lifetime in a short time. Unless they remain on that path.

However, what a novel idea. Instead of forcing one to make a decision. Instead of adulterating their minds allow them to choose. To learn to live. I personally believe in karma and fate. I've seen the metaphysical. There is something more to this world. We cannot create or nudge fate nor can we make it for others or ourselves.

So back to the crossroads of choice… Of course this choice becomes clear to them in due time. And it is amazing...the mistakes which they will inevitably make are forgiven. As though it is understood. Some of us reach these crossroads earlier than others. Some of have a little privilege in that regard. Some travel to other places far from home. Oh say..4 years. We make mistakes. We look at them and realize they were mistakes. And in the end the decision of what we want becomes clear. It is no longer muffled. We return to simplicity. And those we left never think twice about opening their arms. Though they may not have taken their 'rumspringa' yet. So let them.

I suppose I'm not an expert in 'Amish'. I know a few. Pass many on the bumpy roads where I live. And even picked one up near the institute. Well, rain was coming and I just felt bad for the old man. But my interest is in the connection of cultures. Everythings connected in one way or the other. Our culture, their culture and cultures of long ago. So I look to the culture that once walked the roads I drive. Natives, indians, Lenni-Lenape, Hopewell...whatever floats your boat. Their 'rumspringa' was a deeper path. A spiritual endeavor. Not just a hedonistic choice of debauchery and fun. Well, I could go on and on here but that’s precious html at waste. I just thought it appropriate to acknowledge a very wise decision and post. I respect 'them kinds'.